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The Catalog Blog

Cool things from 20th-century American Catalogs

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Category: 1920s

Jazz Age Sex Appeal
Posted on August 10, 2017October 22, 2017

Barnard Hewitt, 1928
Jazz Age Sex Appeal

Lace bloomers and diamond-pattern rayon hose, cloche hats and Art Deco-patterned dresses – this was the “It” girls’ and flappers’ wardrobe in the summer of 1928…. Continue reading Jazz Age Sex Appeal

The Sounds of Silents
Posted on August 7, 2017October 22, 2017

Whittle Music, 1927
The Sounds of Silents

Need the sound of a cow for your next silent movie? A fly? A dog? A horse? How about an interurban train whistle or a baby’s cry? All available in this 1920’s Whittle Music catalog… Continue reading The Sounds of Silents

The ‘Gay White Way “Jazz” Suit’
Posted on July 10, 2017October 22, 2017

Charles Williams, 1927
The ‘Gay White Way “Jazz” Suit’

Charles Williams stores, ca 1927: Item B on this page is a men’s 3-piece suite that is “real snappy and full of pep” and priced at under $16. I don’t think Men’s Wearhouse has suits like this. Continue reading The ‘Gay White Way “Jazz” Suit’

The Phonograph with a Soul: Many Words about Music
Posted on June 22, 2017June 22, 2017

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The Phonograph with a Soul: Many Words about Music

“Edison and Music” Diamond Disc catalog, 1920 – Thomas Edison invented recorded music in 1878 to instant acclaim. It's funny, selling a product whose end result is music with nothing but words. But Edison's writers gave it their best shot… Continue reading The Phonograph with a Soul: Many Words about Music

Catalog of Secrets
Posted on May 22, 2017May 21, 2017

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Catalog of Secrets

For our next trick, the Heaney Magic Company, 1924. Have no illusions – even Magicians consulted catalogs in the 20th century. Here the audience members’ three chosen cards are impaled at sword-point. Continue reading Catalog of Secrets

A Gold Pen – a “Dandy Seller”
Posted on April 4, 2017April 4, 2017

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A Gold Pen – a “Dandy Seller”

Rexall Drugs, 1928 / This catalog was produced to convince drugstore owners to stock these 14 caret gold fountain pens. Continue reading A Gold Pen – a “Dandy Seller”

12,000 miles for $6.66
Posted on April 1, 2017April 2, 2017

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12,000 miles for $6.66

Pep Boys Catalog, 1920s / A tire with a guarantee of 12,000 miles for a bargain price of under $7! Continue reading 12,000 miles for $6.66

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We're celebrating all the abundance and excitement found in vintage 20th century American catalogs: the exotic, the fashionable, the surprising, the latest, the coolest, the cheapest, the oddest, the choices.

Not just Sears and Montgomery Wards, You could buy anything from a catalog in the 20th century: from a box of raisins to a house, from a computer to a car, from a billy club to an inflatable brassiere. The old-time printed catalogues which arrived in the mailbox showed the 20th-century American Consumer just how to consume.

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